That was Alex Jones a few weeks ago after Chobani sued Jones, the head of InfoWars and a lunatic par excellence, after his fake-news website accused the yogurt maker of somehow being involved in the sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl last June, among other ridiculous claims about Twin Falls. Jones vowed to “win or die” in his battle against Chobani, and pledged to come to Idaho and dig up evidence to support his claims.

Fast-forward to this week, when Jones said:

“During the week of April 10, 2017, certain statements were made on the InfoWars Twitter feed and YouTube channel regarding Chobani, LLC, that I now understand to be wrong. The tweets and video have now been retracted, and will not be reposted. On behalf of InfoWars, I regret that we mischaracterized Chobani, its employees and the people of Twin Falls, Idaho, the way we did.”

See the difference?

Make no mistake about the significance of this apology. It’s not the same as a newspaper correction, where a reporter mistakenly misspelled a name or did some bad math. This is admission that InfoWars concocted a serious whopper about Chobani, knew it was inaccurate, and pushed the story anyway to promote a twisted political point of view. InfoWars is not journalism; it’s propaganda.

And it’s a signal to any others wishing to smear Twin Falls that there will be consequences.

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All of us in Twin Falls should be thankful to Chobani for calling Jones out. For two years, we’ve been victims of Jones and other conspiracy theorists who’ve twisted stories about the yogurt maker, city government, refugees and Muslims to paint a portrait of our town that simply isn’t accurate. Unless you’ve been asleep since last summer, you know how damaging fake news can be. Just look at what’s happening in Washington, where several probes are underway into how fake news may have influenced the presidential election.

The apology should also suck much of the wind out of the anti-refugee crowd, who cited Jones and others like them in their arguments.

It should be clear by now that Jones and his anti-Muslim ilk do not have your best interests at heart. Rather, they’re preying upon people’s concerns to boost their own profiles and profit from your fears. These people don’t live here, they don’t work here, and they don’t give a hoot about what happens in Twin Falls.

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To hitch your wagon to Jones and others like him is a serious mistake.

Further, Jones does incredible damage to those who have legitimate concerns about refugee resettlement. Not everyone opposed to resettling refugees is a bigot like Jones, but there is such a thing as guilt by association. Let’s continue to discuss resettlement; let’s not do it while embracing wingnuts.

Jones’ apology amounts to a settlement with Chobani, who was never in this lawsuit for the money. Chobani simply wanted Jones to tell the truth.

Now that he has, we have just one question for Jones: How does that crow taste?

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(7) comments

Further, Jones does incredible damage to those who have legitimate concerns about refugee resettlement.”It’s good to see that TN realizes that some folks had legitimate concerns. That we aren’t ‘igots, or isms or deplorable. I never read one thing this cat wrote, never heard of him before. It’s good to see someone stand up when called all these names, I very well know how that is. And it stinks, the yogurt man stood up for us all. There’s common ground on this refugee thing, I believe it was handled wrong. CSI handled it wrong and Matt Christensen got after them for that. The City Council handled it wrong as they are supposed to be nonpartisan; they drew a line in the sand. There’s bound to be people on both sides of a line when you do that. They should have taken the complaint seriously as they are hired to do and did some little thing to assure everyone the refugees were safe. Not taken sides. What beef could anyone have if some little safeguard was put into place? Simple!National defense means everything to some of us and we’d fight and die for this Valley as some of us have done. The Soldiers that didn’t come back paid the highest price and I adore them, and I thank them on this weekend of respect for them. Maybe next the CSI Board will listen to complaints bought to them and not close the meeting. Maybe next time the Council will remain non-partisan and fix the problem as with any complaint. It could have been easily fixed but peoples egos got in the way. What a mess it has been; people don’t even live here in the middle of it. There is common ground and the people themselves will have to find it, the politicians have made it worse. We need some changes. The innocents are the people who spoke out in good faith and the refugees themselves. Looks like the Feds have better screening in place and our refugees seem to be peace loving folks. First time I’ve EVER seen our politicians fight the public over a legitimate safety concern-we gotta watch those people. As far as the refugee’s I’m satisfied they bear us no ill will. It’s too bad we had to go by the way of Hollister to get to Buhl, but I think we’re here. Too bad the rest of the World had to get involved in our disagreement. Things have a way of straightening themselves out but you know what? I think they are on the right road. Thank you TN for that one little line; it made all the difference.

It’s been 48 years,Since the deed was done.On a hill,in a place,faraway.But the Courage of those;Who fought and died,Are still talked aboutto this very day.The Army called them Air Assault,They belonged to the 101st,Just what that meant,would soon be known,from the Pentagon to the Orient.Blackjack said;“Assault up the face!”But the Platoon LeadersWeren’t so sure,“It’s just too damn steep,for the Troopers to keep,Their feet and shoot,”as it were.“We think you ought,to bomb the damned thing,till it’s dust,and nothings alive.To send us up there,With Enemy and Pigs,don’t seem to us any to wise.” * wild pigs eating the dead, both sides were shooting them.But the orders were given,and Air Assault driven;to obey– each and every one.And to this day,no Skytroopers say,that Hamburger Hill was fun.For ten long days,and even more asaults,Airborne cussed,and they died,and they bleed.And on the 12th Assault,they stood on the top-and they wondered What was the need? * 10 assulats officially but they were pushed off twice by counter attacks, once by friendly fire. But as they grew older, and their visions grew bolder, and they saw history unfold. It may have been wiser, to bomb the damn misers, but they did what the hell they were told. This is a tale,about Hamburger Hill, some are still around, and some ain’t But they took the damned thingand won Honor and Fame, They would rather have their buddies back.This is a story,about Hamburger Hill, Air Assault, and I think I should know. if there is ever another, for History to recover,best call Infantry’s 911. They’ll fight and they’ll cuss They’ll bleed and they’ll die.They’ll watch History unfold. It’s not what they’d like but they have lots of might, they come from a hard old mold.Now-I’m not as wise, as those lawyer guys but just between me and you.They’d do it again,Though their chances were slim,because “Orders are Orders”you know.

While I usually agree with you Tumbleweed.....i don't totally this time....the city council has already shown that they are not non-partisan, that they are not impartial....by having us become a "welcoming (to refugees) city" sign town. They have become a mini-boise with all the mini-strip malls & crap they are throwing in this town & all the apt complexes. And now they've joined boise & ketchup to be a "welcoming sign city"......Most already knew they were siding with csi & the refugee center & not for the majority of the citizens (which constitute more than just "city folk") yeah....so what that chobani got what's his name to apologize.....whoopee. I'm glad that the rest of the world has heard about the issues we're having...better than sweeping it under the rug making it seem like all refugee's & other issues (like Dietrich) innocent or didn't happen. Unfortunately lies take off like wild fires, while the truth is slower to burn. It lets the "powers that be" know that their actions (lack of or not) are being watched.I'd rather go way of hollister to get to buhl in order to by pass twin any time....that is not the town i grew up in or loved being in. We're far from things being straightened out.......but.....hopefully we're on the right path to start with.

Nope, they're not non-partisan and they're not impartial. I don't like what they're doing to the Valley via the City either. I would have like to leave a little of how I grew up to my Great Grandkids, some are already here. In 50 yrears we'll all be in TN memory book-the way things used to be-have to get out the History Books to see how they got where they are. They won't be able to see it or touch it anymore. It will be gone. One thing for sure THEY are in control and we're headed down the track like a runaway freight train. What's the hurry?Cutting across the Desert from Hollister to Buhl, can be a bit tough this time of year, roads are probably still soft. Drive Careful! :)

I for one am no fan of Alex Jones and the three people who listen to him are probably doing it for laughs. But to lump people in with him, simply for being cautious about the damage done to communities elsewhere - and possibly here - because of Islam, is provably and certainly ignorant. Islam is more a political belief than a religion, it is about power not peace, and it's practices inflicted upon the women trapped within is criminal. The Times News, for scoffing at those wary about Islam, does this community no good service.

Ditto Gud, you nailed it. I thought TN and the City scoffed at those wary about Islam and I had the word, "IRRESPONSIBLE," in my head to explain their actions. Your words are better, no good service to our Community. I never read one of his articles either, not one of them. But hearing about some things he said I sure don't want to be lumped in with him either. I have deep concern and love for our people and our Valley; that's what you were seeing from me I don't know what Mr. Jones's agenda was.

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